Amtrak names two to operations positions

Amtrak named Thomas Hall chief of customer services and Jay Commer general manager of state-supported services. Both will report directly to Vice President of Operations DJ Stadtler, effective immediately.

As chief of customer services, Hall will be in charge of ensuring that Amtrak provides service that meets the wants, needs and expectations of its customers. He will oversee system operations functions, including the Consolidated National Operations Center, crew management services, intermodal connectivity, administration of special trains and food and beverage services. In addition, he will be responsible for setting and maintaining standards for station and on-board service. He will be based in Wilmington, Del.

As general manager of state-supported services, Commer will be responsible for providing Amtrak state partners and their customers with excellent service, while meeting financial goals and other performance targets. It is a critical position that supports the corporate goals of Amtrak's Strategic Plan.

Commer has been with Amtrak since 1987, initially as locomotive engineer and most recently as general superintendent, Pacific Division, where he was responsible for financial, operational, service-oriented, safety and business goals. He has also served as principal officer, state contracts, overseeing agreements with the Washington and Oregon Departments of Transportation, general manager for the California Corridor product line and superintendent of commuter operations for Caltrain, among other roles. He will be based in Oakland, Calif.